Pyrite oxidation leads to acidic conditions due to: A. a slow chemical oxidation of FeS2 B. a rapid chemical oxidation of FeS2 C. Bacterial oxidation of Fe++ D. All of these Solution Pyrite(FeS2) is a irion sulphide allso called fools gold found i n earth\'s crust especially in coals and mineral ores. The various steps of pyrite oxidation is as follws 2 FeS2 + 7 O2 + 2 H2O => 2 Fe2+ + 4 SO42- + 4 H+ Pyrite + Oxygen + Water => Ferrous Iron + Sulfate + Acidity 4 Fe2+ + O2 + 4 H+ => 4 Fe3+ + 2 H2O Ferrous Iron + Oxygen + Acidity => Ferric Iron + Water 4 Fe3+ + 12 H2O => 4 Fe(OH)3 ¯ + 12 H+ Ferric Iron + Water => Ferric Hydroxide (yellowboy) + Acidity FeS2 + 14 Fe3+ + 8 H2O => 15 Fe2+ + 2 SO42- + 16 H+ Pyrite + Ferric Iron + Water => Ferrous Iron + Sulfate + Acidity pyrite oxidation occurs at slow rate in rocks but some bacterias increases the rate of pyryte oxidation.